of God, the superior of the neighbouring nations. David's sins were gradually forgotten, for his atonement had been both grievous and manifold. Posterity pronounced a milder judgment on him than did his contemporaries. The remembrance of his great deeds, his kindness, his obedience to God, caused him to appear invested with the traits of an ideal king, who served as a pattern to all later rulers,--one who had always walked in the ways of God, and never departed therefrom. The kings of his house who succeeded him were measured by his standard, and were judged by the extent of their resemblance to him. David's reign shone through the ages as perfect,--as one in which power and humility, fear of God and peace were united. Every succeeding century added its tribute to David's character, until he became the ideal of a virtuous king and sacred poet. CHAPTER IX. SOLOMON. The new King's Rule--Solomon's Choice--Poetic Allegory--Murder of Adonijah and Joab--The Court--Alliance with Egypt--Tyre--Solomon's Buildings--The Plan of the Temple--The Workmen--The Materials--Description of the Temple--The Ceremony of Consecration--Reorganisation of the Priesthood--The King's Palace--The Throne--Increase of National Wealth--The Fleet--The Seeds of Disunion--Jeroboam--Idolatry permitted--Estrangement from Egypt--Growth of surrounding Kingdoms--Solomon's Fame--His Death. 1015-977 B. C. E. David had left affairs in Israel in such perfect order that his successor, unless he were a fool or a knave, or the victim of evil advice, would have but little trouble in governing. Solomon, however, carried David's work still further. He shed such lustre upon Israel that even the most distant generations basked in the light that emanated from his wise rule. Indeed, a king who solidifies and increases, if he does not actually found, the greatness of the State; who permits his people the enjoyment of peace; who sheds the bounties of plenty over his land, driving poverty away from the meanest hovel; who opens up new channels for the development of his people's powers, and who thus increases and strengthens them; a king who has the intelligence to arouse his subjects to exercise their mental gifts, and cultivate their love of the beautiful; who, by his material and spiritual creations, elevates his country to the dignity of a model State, such as had never been before him and scarcely ever after him;--such a monarch assuredly deserves the high praise which posterity has accorded to him. Carried away by the greatness of his deeds--for all these grand characteristics were strikingly prominent in Solomon--men shut their eyes to his weaknesses, and considered them the inevitable result of human imperfection. In the first place he strove to preserve peace for his country, though his father had left him ample means for making fresh conquests. He was called the king of peace--"Shelomo." By giving to his people the comforts of prosperity,